Programs & Centers

Special Programs:

First-Year Experience This unique program was established to provide new Catawba students with not only basic survival skills for college life, but enriching experiences to shape their future as well. First-time freshmen are required to take the First-Year Seminar, which focuses on the rigorous study of a selected topic and the development of essential study and research skills.

Honors The Honors Program cultivates a community of academically gifted students who pursue challenging educational experiences with outstanding faculty. Through interdisciplinary, provocative, and intellectually demanding courses, the Honors Program piques the curiosity of students, encouraging them to become life-long learners whose lives are enriched by their experiences.

Orientation Orientation information for new, transferring and re-entering students and their parents to prepare for arrival on campus. Resources about technology on campus, housing, mail, health services, dining, and much more!

Sustainable Catawba The commitment to sustainability is strong on the Catawba College campus. Sustainable Catawba is the on-campus collaboration between student groups, organizations, and academic and operational departments, which is key to maintaining sustainability on campus.

Volunteer Catawba Volunteer Catawba coordinates the collective, collaborative volunteer effort of the college community. Many faculty members work with Volunteer Catawba to incorporate service-learning opportunities into curriculum. Individuals — as well as entire classes, athletic teams, and clubs — participate in rewarding service projects, mission trips, and more.

College Centers:

Academy for Teaching The Shirley Peeler Ritchie Academy for Teaching was established in 2007 to answer the ongoing need for excellent teachers and to further enhance the outstanding Teacher Education department at Catawba. The Academy's focus is on equipping its participants with 21st Century teaching skills and offering extensive field experiences through regional and east coast travel, community leadership development and service learning.

Black Lake Retreat Center This off-campus facility offers a place of retreat and spiritual renewal to persons of all ages and levels of faith development. A picturesque outdoor ministry resource, Black Lake is conveniently located in the "Heart of North Carolina" in Asheboro, N.C. It is just minutes from the Uwharrie Mountains, N.C. Zoological Park, Museum of Traditional N.C. Pottery, Richard Petty Museum, N.C. Aviation Museum and Hall of Fame, and others.

Center for the Environment Catawba College launched the Center for the Environment in 1996 to educate students and the public about environmental stewardship and sustainability. It involves students, faculty, and staff, and its many partners and volunteers in programs and activities that promote sustainable solutions in the community, the region and beyond. The building that houses the Center, which was completed in 2001, epitomizes the mission of the Center and serves as a model for green building practices. It reflects Catawba College's commitment to conservation and the sustainable use of the earth's resources.

The Curriculum Materials Center The mission of the Catawba College CMC (Curriculum Materials Center) is to provide services and resources that help prepare and enable reflective practitioners to teach effectively students in a global and diverse society.

The Ketner Center for International StudiesWe wish to encourage and assist Catawba students who wish to pursue part of their education in a foreign country, to promote international and cross-cultural educational experiences on the Catawba campus, and to help international students on campus achieve the maximum benefit from their time at Catawba.

Lilly Center for Vocation & Values Founded in 2003 with the help of a generous grant from the Lilly Foundation, Catawba's Lilly Center strives to promote thought-provoking journeys of self-exploration. The Lilly Center has helped participants, especially students, discover and use their gifts in ways that serve others. The funds will also help in continuing to make a special focus by encouraging students to consider how they can make a real difference in today's world through the Christian ministry.

The Math Center The Math Center provides help to all Catawba College students who need math assistance. The student workers in the Math Center have the ability to help with any and all level math classes.

The Writing Center The Writing Center provides free, one-to-one tutoring to all Catawba students who are working on writing projects. Our undergraduate peer tutors work with writers of all abilities and at every stage of the writing process.